Second Language Acquisition Theory and Primary English Teaching 英语毕业论文.doc

second language acquisition theory and primary english teachingabstract: in the fall of 2001 all primary schools had started to set up english curricula to students at the third grade level, which fundamentally change the teaching of english of chinas current situation and has a profoundly impact. as primary school english teaching in china is still a new attempt, involving a number of issues worth exploring, i would try to use the second language acquisition theory as base to discuss the necessity of english language teaching in primary schools and analyze main approaches in teaching and also propose workable recommendations. key words: second language acquisition theory; teaching primary school english; language input motivation according to the ministry of education strategys requirement, chinas primary schools in the fall of 2001 had started to set up english curricula from the third grade. this reform and major initiative of english teaching in china will help to change the chinas current situation of english teaching and made a profoundly impinge. as primary school english teaching in china is still a new attempt, involving a number of issues worth exploring, such as the formulation of outline prices, preparation of teaching materials, teacher training, teaching pattern and foundation of testing system. these issues have aroused the concern by foreign language teaching profession.the key point in second language acquisition research is the different characteristics of learners and the process. the two main aspects of study as following: first, probe into the learners common characteristics in the learning process; second, explore the learners individual differences. specifically, these studies mainly on the following themes: mother tongue and second language acquisition, language input and second language acquisition, cognitive theory and second language acquisition, universal grammar theory and second language acquisition, research individual differences and second language acquisition, classroom teaching and second language acquisition. chinas foreign language teaching must be up to chinas specific conditions of foreign language teaching, establish our own system of foreign language teaching theory and learn advanced things from other countries. second language acquisition theory guide actively chinas foreign language teaching, particularly in english language teaching in primary schools. it affects english language teaching in primary schools and is reflected in following exploring theories:1. age and primary english teachingage is an important variable factor that affected the quality of second language acquisition. researchers observed childrens language acquisition and put forward the theory about critical period hypothesis that concerning in a persons life, there is a fixed period for people to learn language easier than in any other time. when this time passed, it will be difficult to acquire perfect mother tongue. another study showed that the abilities of second language learners to use common grammatical were gradually wearing off with age increasing. therefore, to seize the prime period to carry out teach or acquire english is very necessary.china had set up primary school english teaching course and the main objective people are those age of 10-year-old children. this action complied with the theory critical period of age, proposed by ienneberg. compared to adults, children in this age group have advantages in the second language acquisition. acquisition in a natural environment, mainly for children have the following advantages: from aspect of the psychological factors, childrens memory stronger than that of adults, and being good at learning syntax; childrens speed of development of oral ability and voice tone are quicker than that of adults. this is mainly because with increasing of age persons vocal apparatus to adopt new language skills gradually decreased. grass and spelunker (1994) thought that children could be much able to use of language acquisition mechanism in the second language acquisition process, because their brains are much flexible, adaptable and absorptive. in addition, childrens the language input are relatively simple, which help to understand and get language acquisition easily. looking at the sides of physics and psychology, it is evident that children are more suitable for language learning. therefore, we need to fully understand these advantages before carrying out the teaching, so that we can maximize advantages in the teaching process and do a good job earnestly. 2. silent period and the primary english teaching according to linguist kristens theory, there are always a year in listen (silent period) when children acquire their mother tongue, and then speak the word. silent period phenomenon shows the relationship between language input and output: language from outputs to input based on language input, and input is prior to output. the law also fits for being applied to second language acquisition. kristen thought that silent period is a very necessary period for learners to build language skills. period of in silence, children improve their language skills through listening, that is to say to develop language skills by accepting comprehensible language input.listen is an important form in child language acquisition and has a significant value; children can accumulate and memory a large number of language materials through listen and summarize the basic rules of the language. china currently has more emphasized on cultivating childrens english reading ability. reading becomes the main form in students language input. however, this approach on a large extent hinders students capacity development of listening and speaking, because it runs counter to the language (oral language, speech, voice form of language) is first, and words (language form , text symbol system) is secondary.in view of above state, we should apply language acquisition rules to chinas primary school english teaching causes, and plan teaching activities focused on listening and speaking, so that could form a listening-based teaching pattern which will help students to get language input as much as possible in their silence period.chinas current foreign language teaching used mainly classroom teaching form. kristen thought that the significance of classroom teaching is to offer comprehensible language input, and viewed the classroom teaching mainly avail to beginners, especially for those who cant get enough comprehensible language input from the natural and social environment. classroom teaching cannot change the nature rule of language acquisition. teaching theories emphasize classroom teaching must conform to the natural rule of language acquisition, and its main function is to provide learners with comprehensible language input. this theory is applied to the english class teaching causes of primary school, and that will help us understand the teaching objectives, content and methods of the primary level profoundly. for children, the main approach of language input is through the way of listening. primary school english teachers should be provide students with voice corpus as much as possible and try to help them understand those materials. in order to ensure the authenticity, interestingness and accuracy, teachers are able to get speech corpus such as audio and video tapes, vcd disc or computer software by any means. teachers can take advantage of a variety of media tool to present high quality language models. another important role of teachers is to try to make students understand language materials of they heard and to carry out teaching activities.in addition, family environment also plays a very important role on second language acquisition. parents should cooperate with schools actively to create a much better environment for students to practice english, for example, buying lively and interesting childrens english language teaching program dvd for the children to make them contact english as much as possible to expand language input.3. motivation and primary english teachingmotivation is one of the main variables of constriction of improving score in studying second language acquisition. dornyei (1998) divided relevant foreign study variable motivations into seven groups based on analyzing comprehensive literature material of the framework of motivation theories. this seven dimensions: (1) emotional / integral dimension (including emotional motivation, integration of motivation, language attitude, intrinsic motivation, interest); (2) tools / utilities degrees; (3) macro-environment-related dimensions (multi - cultural / national language relationships, etc.); (4) and self-concept dimensions (including the self-concept, self-confidence, self-efficacy, anxiety, success attribution, expectations, needs for achievement, etc.); (5) objectives related dimension; ( 6) education setting related factors (including the learning environment, classroom environment and school environment); (7) other related dimensions of influential individuals (such as family, parents, peers, etc.).different from adult learners, childrens foreign language learning motivation are affected mainly by emotional and environmental factors, and which belong to dornyeis summaries of seven dimensions, the first, fourth, sixth and seventh dimensions. and those learning motivation are determined by the childrens psychological and cognitive development level.teachers should be aware of the various factors of affected study motivations in the teaching process to explore teaching strategies of improving foreign language learning motivation. dornyei and csizer (1998) conducted a related experiment, putting forward effective10 macro-strategies to stimulate students learning motivation that what is called ten commandments for motivating language learners : (1) setting an example for students; (2) creating relaxed and pleasant classroom environment;(3) the correct interpretation of learning tasks; (4) establishing a good relationship with the students; (5) enhancing the confidence of students language learning; (6) enabling the classroom to be full of fun; (7) promoting students independent language learning ability; (8) enabling language learning activities pluralistic; (9) strengthening student awareness of independent learning;(10) making students be familiar with the target language culture.in addition, oxford and shearin (1994) put forward some advices for teac